Apprendi v. New Jersey
United States Supreme Court
530 U.S. 466 (2000)
Relevant factsFree
Apprendi (defendant) faced a 5-10 year sentencing range for his firearm offense, but a separate hate-crime statute let the sentencing judge extend his term beyond that range based only on a preponderance-of-the-evidence finding that he acted with discriminatory intent; the judge made that finding and sentenced Apprendi to 12 years, exceeding the underlying offense's normal maximum.
IssueFree
Whether a factual determination authorizing an increase in the maximum prison sentence may be made by a judge based on a preponderance of the evidence.